American Cancer Society Loan Closet at A Woman's Place

The American Cancer Society's Loan Closet made such a difference for my mother! The diagnosis of stage four cancer came unexpectedly and there were many decisions that had to be made in a short period of time. Radiation treatments began within several days the diagnosis, and Mom was greatly concerned about losing her hair as a result of these treatments. We were told that there was a chance that this wouldn't happen, but then her hair started falling out, more and more, day by day. On one of my visits I promised her that I would not leave (I lived out of town) until we found a wig that she would be happy with. She was afraid. Afraid of losing her hair and afraid of what she would find. We found out about the American Cancer Society's Loan Closet, located at St. Mary's A Woman's Place. What a wonderful place this is! We were warmly greeted at the door. I know that I, and I believe that Mom, was amazed at the great variety of wigs and the different colors and styles to choose from. I think it was at that time that Mom went from fighting back tears of fear to wondering where to begin. She could try anything she wanted. We played and fussed with wigs for over an hour. And the wig was only the beginning. The Loan Closet also had turbans, scarves, and opportunities for women to stop by and learn about themselves and how to cope with their cancer and its effects. Mom left that day wearing the wig that she had selected and, more importantly, a smile on her face that replaced the fear and apprehension that were there when she arrived. The caring and generous staff of A Woman's Place made a huge difference. Not only did she leave wearing a wig, but was provided with a second and a comfortable turban to wear. We returned to the rehab facility she was staying at during her treatments and she wanted to be sure to stop by the desk to ask if they noticed something different. (wink, wink, Mom-style) She made a point of wearing the wig to her next treatment so she could "show it off" to the staff there. It looked great and it made her feel so good. What a blessing! The mother / daughter moments we shared, the laughs and fussing, in the American Cancer Society¹s Loan Closet are a memory that I hope other people will be able to experience. How wonderful to have a facility that can assist women and their families during a time that is fearful and frustrating. Even more amazing is that there is no fee involved for the wigs or turbans. They are to be shared.



A Woman's Place

Fransisca is a 60-year old Latina who has been living in the USA for several years with her 16-year old son. She has a full-time job working in a hotel as a housekeeper with no medical benefits. She attends St. Willebrod Church in Green Bay and attended one of the free cardiovascular screenings offered by AWP at the parish. While she was at the screening, she complained about severe abdominal pain that she had been having for several months. When the nurse providing the screening checked her abdomen, she new that something was wrong and immediately referred her to the local community clinic for medical care. The next day she was diagnosed with uterine cancer. She had surgery the following week and began chemotherapy treatments.

While undergoing chemotherapy, she returned to AWP to utilize the American Cancer Society Loan Closet to obtain a wig and some hats. She stated that the reason she had not gone to the doctor was her work schedule, lack of transportation and the impossibility of scheduling an appointment at the local clinic. The screenings were more available to her. It has been one year since Fransisca finished her chemotherapy and was told by her doctor that the cancer was gone. She stated that in some way AWP¹s screening saved her life and hopes that we can continue providing this needed service.



Hispanic Health Education Program

Rosa is a young woman and mother of two children. She was introduced to A Woman’s Place (AWP) in her ESL class as they came to AWP for a tour and a breast self-exam class. She was so excited to hear about all of the services and information that AWP could offer her. In addition, she enrolled in the Reproductive Cancer Screening Program, had her exam, and later found out that her pap smear was abnormal. Because she was so concerned and afraid, she came back to AWP to receive more information about her health and the Hispanic Health Educator assisted her in applying for Prevea Clinic and SMH’s Community Care program so that she could receive the treatment needed. She is currently going to follow up appointments every month at Prevea and is glad she received the help and care needed to maintain good health. Now she will also be able to have a mammogram due to the Packer Pink Hat Fund. This fund provides mammograms and diagnostic breast services to women not eligible for the Wisconsin Well Woman’s Program due to their age.



A Woman's Place

IM came from her native country two years ago with her three children. She moved to Green Bay looking for better opportunities. IM was feeling lost with many health concerns, very little money, and not knowing what to do when she heard about A Woman’s Place (AWP) through AWP’s Hispanic Health Educator at her church. At the time, she was living with friends and did not have a job or a vehicle. She came to AWP looking for guidance in how she and her children could receive eye exams and how she could have a pap smear.

At AWP she was enrolled in the Wisconsin Well Women’s Program, referred to the Literacy Council for ESL classes, referred to St. Vincent De Paul for housing, and to the Lion’s Club for an eye exam. Her children were referred to the Health Department to check their vision too.

IM’s life has changed a lot since she moved to Green Bay and got in contact with AWP and other community agencies through AWP. She moved into a St. Vincent De Paul home with her children, had her eye exam and received glasses through the Lion’s Club, is going to ESL classes once per week at the Literacy Council’s office and sees a tutor who is teaching her English once per week at her home. Her children were recently screened at school and one of them was referred to a local eye clinic for an eye exam through the Health Department. She is scheduled to have her pap smear soon. Presently she has been able to take care of her health and basic needs, has a part time job, and is hopeful that learning English will help her to have a better future.



Until it happened to me…

Ray was 53 when one of his best friends died of colon cancer. That tragedy actually may have saved Ray's life.

Ray's wife made an appointment for him to get a long overdue physical following his friend's death. When blood was found in Ray's stool sample, he was referred to Prevea Clinic GI specialist Dr. Roland Christian for a colonoscopy procedure at St. Mary's Hospital. Dr. Christian removed five polyps from Ray's colon, including one cancerous polyp, in probably just the nick of time.

"Dr. Christian told me that is those polyps hadn't been removed, I would have a full case of cancer in one or two years," Ray recalls. "I've been back five or six times for follow-up colonoscopies, and now I don't have to go back for five years."

Ray is a big proponent of regular physicals now. After all, the early detection of his polyps spared him from having to go through cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, much less the fate that ended his friend's life. "My friend went in too late," he states. "You've got to have a regular physical, and colon cancer is really something where you have no symptoms."

Though a colonoscopy is a common outpatient procedure, it still isn't something most people would choose to do in their spare time. Ray might, though, just to be on the safe side. "It makes me think sometimes that I might want to go back to have one done anyway."

 

Until it Happened to Me...

Irvin is like the Energizer bunny. He keeps going and going and going. "The best thing you can do is keep busy," says the 79-year-old self-proclaimed workaholic. He starts his eight-hour workday at 6:30 a.m. handling lumber and setting up machinery at his sawmill in Shawano. So when an injury threatened to slow him down, he took action.

Irvin hurt his hip when he slipped on ice while stepping out of his truck. He thought the pain would go away, but it stayed with him for six months. Eventually, a friend of his, a doctor in Green Bay, recommended that he visit orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Rolf Lulloff. The recommendation? Total hip replacement surgery. "The quicker it's done," said Irvin, "the better."

Following a short stay in St. Mary's for surgery and rehabilitation therapy, Irvin returned home to continue his recovery as an outpatient. "With the new highway from Shawano to Green Bay, St. Mary's really was convenient," said Irvin. "Many people I knew talked about going to Neenah or Appleton, but driving that far wasn't an option. Plus, St. Mary's staff was great. I would recommend Dr. Lulloff and St. Mary's to anyone."